Nov. 29, 2012

New Canaan Rotary Club Bulletin                                                                 November 29, 2012

Apparently everyone has returned to the Next Station to Heaven following the Thanksgiving hiatus.  A large crowd gathered at the Roger relieved that turkey was mercifully excluded from the luncheon menu.  Marty gaveled us to order and led the Pledge before calling on an apparently prayed-out Pastor Eric who offered an uncharacteristically brief blessing.  The food was characteristically excellent.  By the way, that is Joseph’s son at the door.  He is new to the business and it is in our self-interest to make him feel appreciated.

Sandy Parks brought Andrea Mednick, principal of Mednick Associates, a local medical/legal consulting firm; Jim Cole had John Murphy as his guest; and Geri Goerke from the New Canaan Chapter of the American Red Cross was once again in the house.  Defying Club protocol, John rose to his feet following his introduction and made a pitch for all Rotarians and their families to attend tomorrow evening’s Holiday Stroll organized by an acquaintance of his.

Fred Baker informed us that the annual Rotary Christmas Party will commence at 6:30 pm on Saturday, December 15 at the Waveny Castle.  Members whose surnames start with letters between A  and P  [inclusive] are instructed to prepare and bring an appetizer or main dish, while those from Q to Z should arrive bearing desserts.  Marty assured everyone that for those whose social calendars are full, partial attendance is not only acceptable, but encouraged.

Bill Walbert then announced that the annual New Canaan Rotary Club Christmas Grab Bag Luncheon Extravaganza will occur at our normally scheduled lunch on December 20.  Rules for the occasion, subject to last minute modifications by Santa, are that each member is to bring a wrapped gift whose purchase price should be $25 or less, place it on the gift table and receive in exchange a numbered slip of paper.  When your number is called you will proceed to the table, deposit a $5 contribution [usually for the Salvation Army] and select a gift.  You must open the gift so that all in the audience are able to see it and then, should you so choose, you can trade it for any gift previously opened.  While there are many motivations for trading, the overarching tradition is to ensure that Eric cannot return to the Church with his gift without inviting a lightning strike.  As extra gifts magically appear each year, a raffle for these treasures then ensues.  The rules for the raffle are so arbitrary and confusing that you must be present and listen very carefully to have any hope of understanding them.  Santa and the Elf, if she deigns to honor us with one of her infrequent appearances, are the sole arbiters of any misunderstandings.  There is no appeal.  Merry Christmas.

Treasurer Rob then took the unprecedentedly hard line that if you have not yet received an email dues invoice from him, you may call and request one.  Had Steve Risbridger been in the room he would have fainted dead away.  Cam Rubin mentioned that he has a Toys For Tots collection barrel at his office at 49 Locust Avenue.

Sergeant Bill then took center stage and gave a public service announcement about curbing cell phone use in public spaces.  Notable fines were paid by Mike Hobbs who reported that all three of his Atlanta grandchildren have spent time in casts this fall; Gene Tonkovich a Happy$50 for returning to the bosom of our Club after a too long absence as he heals from a shoulder fracture; Eric for the engagement of his middle daughter; Phil McClain for his son’s football victory over Wilton; Fireman Fred because no one was injured when a Cadillac was driven off the Merrit and into a White Birch Road residence resulting in extensive fire damage; real estate mogul extraordinaire John Engel who sold his Oenoke Lane residence in only 22 days; Scott Hobbs for alma mater Duke’s basketball victory over Ohio State; and Sandi Malloy for her recent Caribbean cruise.

 Program Chair Jim Cole then introduced Jeff Keith and Rob Mazzone representing CT Challenge, a program they have started to empower cancer survivors to live healthier, happier, longer lives by creating and funding programs, offering credible resources and building a community of support.  Jeff led off with a description of his early life as someone to whom success in athletics had come easily, before dropping the bomb that during treatment for a routine sports injury as a young athlete his doctor had discovered a tumor and amputated his leg above the knee.  He refused to accept that this should limit him and he eventually played lacrosse at Boston College and ran across America.  Bob then took over and described the new 8,000 square foot CT Challenge Center at 250 Pequot Avenue in Southport which opened in October, his experience as part of the support system for his wife during her battle with breast cancer, and how, while every case is unique, all sufferers and survivors need help and support.  CT Challenge tries to provide it by organizing and staging an annual bicycle ride event over distances of 10, 25, 50, 75 and 100 miles.  This year an additional offering will start a group of riders from HotchkissSchool in the far northwest corner of the state who will ride to Fairfield on day one before joining the hundred mile contingent the following day for the circuit from the Fairfield Hunt Club around Lake Waramaug and back.  Each rider is charged with raising a minimum of $750 for the cause as the price of entry.  John Murphy reported that the money raised locally last year was in honor of Joanie Walbert.  Jeff and Bob closed with a short film documenting last year’s event and answering a few questions.  As the guy in the Under Armor ad says, “If this doesn’t get you motivated man, you ain’t got a pulse!”  Very inspiring program.

Lance Armstrong